Sara Roahen

As a direct result of reading this book, I have made my first gumbo (I even made a roux!) and find myself constantly lusting after po'boys and crawfish beignets. Eating a king cake is now on my unofficial to-do-someday list, and I'll be paying more attention to the flavor of my New Orleans iced coffee from Blue Bottle because they use actual chicory in it (hence the name).

It wasn't just the food porn that hooked me, though. The author's obvious love for her adopted city was just as wonderful to read about, and it makes me long to feel that way about a city of my own. Perhaps I should give New Orleans a try...… (mer)

"People love New Orleans like they love a person."

This book is a love letter to the city and her food culture. Food in New Orleans is life, and community, and identity. It's more than a meal, and this author found New Orleans, as someone not raised there, to be home. That's what New Orleans does- she chooses you to be part of her.

Roahen divides her chapters by food (or cocktail) and delves into the history of each item just a bit, a nice touch. She references several sources in her exploration while relating her own experiences. This was fun to read, as well as great information about the city and its history. If you love New Orleans, or even just like her a little bit, this is a great read.… (mer)